The answer is: Made a molten calf

Deut 9:15-16

While Moses was communing with God on Mount Sinai, something quite shocking transpired among the Israelites below. Instead of waiting patiently for his return, the people decided to take matters into their own hands, feeling abandoned and unsure of their leader’s fate. They’d grown anxious after seeing that Moses had been gone for forty days and nights, leading to a significant lapse in their trust. With Aaron—Moses’ brother—right there with them, they persuaded him to create a golden calf for them to worship, seeking a tangible representation of the divine. Talk about irony!

Their quick turn to idol worship is not just a single misstep but rather a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Just think back to how much time they spent in slavery in Egypt! Gold may have reminded them of their past, but in that moment, they sought something they could see and touch. This scenario highlights human nature—getting restless and often failing to trust in what we cannot see.

Interestingly, this moment marks one of the first substantial acts of idolatry deregulating a new society, setting a stark contrast against the very laws God was about to give through Moses. It speaks volumes about our propensity to rely on the visible rather than the trust in the invisible. And tethered deep within Jewish tradition, this story helps to inform future teachings of loyalty and faith, lessons that resonate through countless generations even to this day.